Roller skate



J1me 1962 D. s. WILLIAMS 3,037,784

ROLLER SKATE Filed Nov. 22, 1960 2 S heets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

A'TTUE/VEYS' June 5,'1962 D. s. WILLIAMS 3,037,784

ROLLER SKATE Filed Nov. 22, 1960 2 SheetsSheet 2 iliHl INVENTOR.

gamz zflzaz/z zxm my M ATTORNEYS- United States Patent 3,037,734 ROLLERSKATE Daniel S. Williams, 394 Spruce St., Pottstown, Pa.

Filed Nov. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 70,950

3 Claims. (Cl. 28011.26)

This invention relates to a roller skate, and more particularly to aroller skate having an improved mechanism for permitting adjustmentbetween the heel member and sole member so that the roller skate can bereadily and conveniently adjusted to the desired length as desired orrequired.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a roller skate whichis adapted to be made of strong light weight plastic material andwherein the roller skate is especially suitable for use by youngchildren since the roller skate of the present invention embodies anovel adjusting mechanism which permits the child to readily adjust theskate to the desired length without requiring the use of any specialwrench or the like, or without requiring assistance from an adult orother person.

A further object of the invention is to provide a roller skate whichincludes a safety back brake which will help prevent the child using theskates from falling backwards, forward or turning the ankle, and whereinthe skates of the present invention include a unique adjustable lockingmechanism that permits the user such as a small child to position theheel and toe members at the proper location, and wherein after the partshave been adjusted to the desired location, they will remain in thatlocation or position until the child desires to again adjust the lengthof the roller skates.

Still another object is to provide such roller skates that areeconomical to manufacture and efficient in operation and which arerugged in structure and foolproof in use.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from areading of the following specification and claims, taken with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like parts are referred to and indicatedby like reference characters and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view illustrating a roller skate constructedaccording to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the roller skate of the presentinvention, with parts broken away and in section.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the lines 44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a view generally similar to FIGURE 4 but showing the partsin a different or adjusted position.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of theshank with the external threads or ribs thereon.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective View showing a portion of thebarrel or tube.

FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the lockingmechanism of the present invention and showing the tube with the shanktherein and illustrating the parts in unlocked position so that relativemovement between the tube and shank can take place.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 but showing the parts in lockedposition.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view generally similar to FIGURES 8 and 9, butillustrating a modification.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1through 11 of the drawings, there is illustrated a roller skate which isespecially suitable for use by small or young children learning toskate, and wherein the skate can be used indoors or outdoors, and thevarious parts of the skate are adapted to be made of a suitable materialsuch as a tough colorful plastic of a suitable composition. One of theskates is indicated generally by the numeral 30, FIGURE 1, and it is tobe understood that a pair of the skates 30 are adapted to be used andeach has the same construction and each includes a heel member 31 aswell as a sole member or toe member 32. The heel member 31 is shaped toinclude a horizontally disposed base portion 33, FIGURE 2, and dependingfrom the base portion 33 and secured thereto or formed integraltherewith is a generally V-shaped cradle 34 which has a rear axle 35extending through the lower portion thereof. A pair of rear wheels 36are mounted on the outer ends of the axle 35 as shown in the drawings.

The skate 30 further includes a flanged section which is indicatedgenerally by the numeral 37, and the flanged section 37 depends from thebase portion of the heel member and as shown in the drawings the flangedsec tion 37 has its lower edge as indicated by the numeral 38 normallyspaced above a surface such as a floor surface 39 whereby the flangedsection will provide a safety feature that will help prevent a childfrom falling backwards, forward, turning an ankle or the like. Theflanged section 37 is shaped to include spaced apart side portions 40which are cut away as at 42 so as to provide clearance for the wheels36, and the flanged section 37 also includes a rear portion 43 which isprovided with an arcuate recess 44.

Extending upwardly from the base portion 33 and aflixed thereto orformed integral therewith is a pair of spaced apart apertured brackets45, and the numeral 46 indicates a strap which may be made of a suitableflexible plastic material. The retaining strap 46 is provided with aplurality of notches or teeth 47 on one end portion thereof, while theother end of the strap 46 is provided with slots or openings 48 and 49for receiving the toothed portion 47 so that the strap can be maintainedin its proper position on the childs ankle or foot.

The side portions 40 are further provided with upper skirt portions 41which are arranged in a generally raised position above the rear wheels36.

The heel member 31 further includes a vertically disposed end portion50, FIGURE 10, and the end portion '50 is shaped to include anintermediate enlarged rounded section 51 as well as upper portions 52 ofreduced size. Vertically disposed spaced parallel brace pieces 53 extendbetween the rounded section 51 and the cradle 34 and are secured theretoor formed integral therewith so as to help maintain the parts in theirproper spaced position or location. There are also provided inclined orangularly arranged brace members 54 which extend between the bracepieces 53 and the skirt portions 41 and which are secured thereto, andthe numeral 55 designates each of a pair of spaced parallel verticallydisposed brace elements which are secured between the brace members 54and the enlarged rounded section 51 of the end portion 50 whereby arugged construction is provided that provides support for the variousparts such as the horizontally disposed hollow tubular shank 56. Theshank 56 forms part of an adjustable locking mechanism that is indicatedgenerally by the numeral 57, and the locking mechanism 57 furtherincludes a hollow tube or barrel 58 as later described in thisapplication. As shown in FIGURE 6 for example the shank '56 includes twogroups or sets of threads or ribs and each group of ribs is indicatedgenerally by the numeral 59 and it will be seen that each group 59embodies a plurality of spaced parallel arcuate ribs 60which distend anarc of approximately a yd p s d s demsmb r ,1 29 Q h Sid a 67.;beingshaped to include ,a generally tnangu larly or protuberanesj l, FIGURE7,

7 60 defines therebctween a'groove 62. The shank 56 is t rme r rid d ithP wtd ametr wh PP 1 s udina ysa s shannd ,Q -I s. 3,, smith pair of,groups oft ribs 59 are separated by, the. pa r of a n lscfi A L hnWn .inth 1 dra in s t e gs WW1??? 1 i shaped to -ri l itlde.21,horizontally;gdisr osed base piece which i nprov dedjw th antun enns g ra 9 s? toe-:piece. 6 6, adiacent the iront thereohwand depe ingsurfaces as indicated the i v to be made of tough unbreakable plasticmaterial and the skates are appealing in'appearance and also incor- Ih Sank in mimeii i i ihi iszsrnooth and free'of threads or ribs.,,,, t,

mbers ar i i ediat-l hr ow rfls f ynan aw i CIQSS? his a pa nf; ronheels tha n d th me 5 One d rrhesihaaa 6 i s re .t -Qrfli maiin pie e,;and' he ume al. 7 1 9atsaf nta w i h 7 extends between the sidesections 68 and the ax are! Wit li h l ld fi 3st i ls-hm liq tt kl i Van t e. sha kfiimdapt d tqt ljessc ntd hollqw when; an h iub t5tr r x tshun o ewe urfaced th base p ce the ube'sfl, hs nsh l wan ius a yand,ota a l re vedthere ahe 9s Pi e 69 A iqnzs r humbs. 58:9 i n e i r the wh wa o h vin'g its end; .open wherebythe ,shank 56 can headhelp braceandsupport the :tube 58,- [and the numeral 72' indicates a horizontallydisposed brace ,which extends between the. side sections 6 88,,and theybrace 'n is also also .securedto the end p orsecured to the lower portionof the tube SSj-wherebythe f t b :W -.b\-P P 1Y S p ted nda a ed inidesired location, Dianietricallyr opposed brace-arrns lli x e d bstwesnh i n su fa 10 t t ds sad sm-6 and the outer, surface of the tube 158 asshown. in

jacent elementsj tube 58 is with: oft: rectedor inwardlydisposeddiametrically opposed tongues As shown in th drawingsthe tube islprovided surfacesgfil and "(6 willfpr ovide a slight carnrning or ll inorderto fiurther strengthen and bracethetad f hed n ac on n l w r j e pp e ntc en al, 9:

t pn-b s t ng fi hs han an be e at veo re h b i is ml e adii st s i mttHo e t ae ed action a can be overcome by. applying manual Lpressure oith memb s-3 2 1. fl nat he e t ve n h o thear dll er skate can beadjusted as desired by the child,

IJReferring nowQto FIGUREJ Z of the drawings there isiHu t at da S ght'siifica n 'o it diu ta l king. mechanism which isg-indicated generallyby the numerporate or embody certain functional features which arebelieved to be advantageous. The skates can be used indoors or outdoorsand arestrong and light in weight and the skates include the flangedsection 37 which has its loweredge 38= arrangedijust above the floorsurface or other surface 39m which the skates are being used so that theflanged'section 37 Will function as a safety factor orsafctybaek brakewhereby in the eventthe child or user starts to fall'jbackwardsor to theside, the edges? iivill shove: into engagement with the floorsurface'i39 in order to help ria'intai'n the child upright;

Thegjsiltate includes the sole membe'r32which is provid'edwith generallyclosed toe piecef66 that is secured to or formed integral with the basepiece 65, and the niece 66 is adapteid'fto snugly receiv'eftherein thetoe porden of the childs:shoeorfoohahd as shown in the drawingsfthere isprovided on the rear intermediate portion oil the toe piece 66 agenerallycircular enlangeni'ent 7 8. v'lThisiprojection'or portion 78helps guidethe childisshoe into the toefp'ortionbfi and exerts a wedgingand with less likelihoodfo'f accidental disengagement of theshoe'frornthe"skate 'As shownfin the drawings the ear bortionrof'the toepieCe6'6'isopen so that the jchilds shoecan fit' therein, and theentirefront'ofthetoe piece j oscdfl I I r f jThe'skate includes the novellocking'rnechanism which isrnamnwgmanry by the nunier'al 57 so that thechild using the skates ca readily adjust the skates'to thencsiredf orrequired length without requiring any special pullor'fwithout requiringoutside assistance and the'lockparallel arcuate rib members 60, an'dthefibfmer'nbers 'arespacedfrornLeach other so as o provide grooves 62therebetween, and there are also .provided thelongitudinallyextendingchannels 63. The shank 56 includes 'the smoothportion which is free of ribs and this smooth portionfhelps provide aguiding elementas for example when initially inserting the shank intotube 58.,

When thelength of the skates is being changed or adjusted, theparts'arearr'anged so that the pair of channels 63 are in alignment orregistry .with the hair of int 5 -afi i W is S thatth k s me ha i m 757f has generally thesanne construction and operation. as

the previously, described lockingarnechanismr 57. 'However, the lockingrnechanisrn 57., includes a shank-56f whichv is provided withdiametrically opposed longitudinally extending channels- 63 for at timesreceiving the tongues '74 of the tube 58 asjfor, example when the lengthI the? roller ,skatelis .tofbe eidjustedand in ,addition the s n :6 ,-vt luq s w vsm ns. 9 a ua e spaced p a e ribs'59' which are separatedfrom cachother as, at- ;7l7

nineteen; .2lt ri 9; e yzext thrpughfl naar vqf PP K t M li ht y le an 9aaa r t t n fimat ly 07,; V .7 f om. e foregoing, :ity is apparent thatthere, hasgbecn whereasthe ribs :60 shownfint FlGllRE 6 extend throughprovided, roller skates which areespecially suitable for use by smallchildren learningtto skate. and wherein'substanti ally allofthepartsofithe' roller skates are adapted wardly disno'seditongue's 140a the tub e 58 whereby the shank can be moved in or out of thetube asdesired, and after theflishank and tube have been positioned at thedesired location relative to each other, the heel member 31 and solemember=32 can be turned slightly so as to cause the tongues 74 tobemoved out of registrywith the channels :63 Whereby no furtherlongitudinal relative movementbetween the shank and tube can take'place.When the lugs or tongues 74 move out of engagement with the channels 63,the'tongueswill move into engagement with the grooves 62 b etweentheribsi60 'In FIGURE 4' the parts are shown in locked position sothat nofurther lengthwise adjustment ofthe skates can occur, While in FIGURE 5the parts are shown in a difierent positionwherein the tongues 74 are inregistry with the channels 63 so that with the partsin the position ofFIGURE .5. the length ofhthe skates can be varied or regulated asdesired. In FIGURE 8 the tongues74 are in registry with the channels 63so that themechanism S7 is in unlocked position whereby thez-length ofthel'skates cangbe'changedor varied," while'in- FIGURES the so thattheskate can be worn more comfortably tongues 74 are out of registry withthe channels 63 so that the skates will be locked.

The ribs 60 are adapted to be provided with outer flattened surfaces 62,and the tube 58 has inner flattened surfaces 76 so that for example asshown in FIGURE 8 when the flat surfaces 61 and 76 are contiguous toeach other there will be no camming or wedging action, while when theparts are in the position of FIGURE 9, outer edge portions of the ribs60 will snugly engage the flat surfaces 76 so as to exert a holding orwedging action which will help prevent the shank from accidentallyrotating or turning from its locked position. However, this holdingaction can be overcome by the child applying manual pressure to theparts such as the members 31 and 32 so that the lengthwise adjustment ofthe skates can take place when desired. In effect by providing theslightly flattened surfaces 61 on the shank 56, it will be seen that thedistance between the pair of flat surfaces or sections 61 will beslightly less than the distance or length between points spaced 90 fromthe flat surfaces 61 so that when the flat surfaces 61 are contiguous tothe flattened shoulders 76, there will be no wedging action, but whenthe shank 56 is turned a quarter turn or approximately ninety degrees,the flat surfaces 61 will be moved away from the flat shoulders 76 sothat the high points on the shank 56 will engage the flat shoulders 76to exert the previously described oamming or holding action.

The notched or toothed portion 47 of the strap '46 is adapted to engagethe openings 48 and 49 whereby the strap can be maintained in itsdesired position.

The shank 56 is rigidly affixed to or formed integral with the endportions 50, and the braces 53, 54 and 55 are arranged in such a mannerthat the shank will be supported in the necessary horizontal positionwhereby the proper alignment can be maintained or insured between theshank and tube of the locking mechanism. Similarly the tube 58 is firmlyaflixed to the various parts of the sole member 32 as previously statedso that the tube 58 will likewise be properly held in the correctposition for coaction with the shank of the heel member 31.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in difierent shapesor sizes.

An important aspect or feature of the present invention is the uniqueadjustable locking mechanism as previously described. With the presentinvention a small child can properly position the parts so as to adjustthe length as desired, and it is only necessary to move the sole memberand heel member relative to each other by a twisting action so that thetongues are in registry with the channels, and then the members can beadjusted to the desired length whereby afterwards the heel member andsole member can be returned to their normal position so that the baseportion 33 and base piece 65 are co-planar whereby the skate will be inthe desired locked position. The upper surfaces of the base portion 33and base piece 65 are adapted to be roughened so as to help preventslippage between the childs shoe and these parts, and this roughenedsurface is indicated generally by the numeral 79 in FIGURE 11. Thelocking mechanism is constructed so that the parts can be readily andeasily adjusted even by a small child, and the skates can be madeinexpensively by utilizing plastic materials for the various parts. Inaddition the skate incorporates the safety features as previously statedsuch as the safety brake which includes the flanged section 37. When theheel member and toe member are aligned they will be locked, as forexample whenthe parts are in the position shown in FIGURE 2.

It is to be noted that according to the present invention there has beenprovided an improved roller skate which differs from prior roller skatesby including or embodying a diflerent strap, and wherein there isprovided a different locking mechanism which includes the straightspaced parallel grooves, as for example as shown in FIG- URE 6, andwherein the back portion of the skate is different as for example asshown in the left side portions of FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, andthe skate embodies or utilizes wheels which are small in diameter, andalso it is to be noted that the toe piece 66 is of a generally closedconstruction at its front portion, and the toe piece 66 is provided withthe projection or enlargement 78 thereon, and this construction of thetoe piece insures that there will be a better fit of the childs shoe inthe skate.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, ifdesired.

What is claimed is:

1. In a roller skate, a heel member and a sole member, means adjustableconnecting said heel member and sole member together, said meansembodying a hollow tube afiixed to one of said members *and said tubebeing provided with a pair of inwardly disposed diametrically opposedtongues, a shank aflixed to the other of said members, and said shankbeing provided with diametrically opposed spaced apart channels forselectively receiving therein said tongues, an external portion of saidshank having two groups of arcuate ribs, adjacent ribs definingtherebetween grooves for selectively receiving therein said tongues,said two groups of the ribs being separated by said channels, said tubebeing provided with inwardly disposed shoulders which are provided withflattened surfaces, and said ribs having flat surfaces mounted formovement into and out of a position contiguous to the flattened surfacesof said shoulders.

2. Ina roller skate, a heel member and a sole member, means adjustablyconnecting said heel member and sole member together, said meansembodying a hollow tube aflixed to one of said members and said tubebeing provided with a pair of inwardly disposed diametrically opposedtongues, a shank aflixed to the other of said members, and said shankbeing provided with diametrically opposed spaced apart channels forselectively receiving therein said tongues, an external portion of saidshank having two groups of arcuate ribs, adjacent ribs definingtherebetween grooves for selectively receiving therein said tongues,said two groups of ribs being separated by said channels, said tubebeing provided with spaced apart diametrically opposed shoulders thathave flat surfaces thereon, and said ribs having flat surfaces mountedfor movement into and out of a position contiguous to the flat surfacesof the shoulders, the tongues of the tube being interposed between theshoulders of the tube, said channels having their longitudinal axesarranged at right angles with respect to the longitudinal axes of thegrooves.

3. In a roller skate, a heel member and a sole member, said heel memberincluding a horizontally disposed base portion, a V-shaped cradledepending from said heel member, a horizontally disposed rear axlemounted in said cradle, rear wheels'connected to the ends of said axle,a flanged section depending from said heel member and said flangedsection having its lower end terminating at a point just above the lowerperiphery of the rear wheels, said flanged section including spacedapart side portions which are cut away to provide clearance for the rearwheels, the side portions further embodying upper skirt portions, saidflanged section further including a rear portion provided with anarcuate recess, apertured brackets extending upwardly from the rear ofthe heel member, a strap extending through said apertured brackets, avertically disposed end portion depending from the front of the heelmember, said end portion including an intermediate enlarged roundedsection and upper portions of reduced size, vertically disposed spacedparallel brace pieces extending between said cradle and the roundedsection and aifixed thereto, inclined brace members extending betweensaid brace pieces and said skirt portions, spaced apart brace elementsextending between said brace members and end portion and securedthereto, a hori- =zontal1y disposed-hollow: shank 'afiix ed' .to v theintermediate enlargedrounded section of said end--portion,- saidsli'ankhaving: on its. exterior two 1 groups n of spaced apart arcu'ate ribs;there *beinggroov'es defined between. adjacent ribs, "the ends-oft the;ribs being'separated'from teachcotber -lby diametrically-. opposedlongitudinally' extending channels, saidribs having-flattenedouter-"surfaces. thereon,; said :shzink further including a smooth outer'endportion'iree :of ribs; said hole member; further including ahorizontally disposed base piece'having an upstanding generally closedtoe'zpiece adjacent; the front thereof, a lpairi .of :spaced apartside;members,dependingifrom said :base piece and said side members.:including enlarged agenerallyiriangular shaped sections which arejoined at theinlowe'r surfaces by art-jarcuatev crosspiece, a front axleextending between 7 said 1 triangular. shaped I'sections andsarranged.;above said .crosspiece, 5 front Ex /heels journaled= on the :ends ofsaid --front :a'xle, a horizontally disposedopena endedytube, ifor ndjustably: receiving "therein said Eshank, end isaidytube havingratportion: :thereof "afiixed to: the lower; surface. of

saidbasepiece,saidrtube beingvalsogafiixed to said cross- 7-,pi'ece-,::a horizontally;disposed-brace extending between named bracebeing 'also affixed to; saidtnbeg d a'metrically opposed arnsfpositioned'above saidlast no med brace and 68 said armslextendingrbetween said triangular sections and tube and securedthereto, apair of diametrically opposed tongues Iprojeeting inwardlyfrom an end of saidv tube for :selectively1 engaging, the grooves; andchannels of ;the

jshank -theinterior of the tube being proyided Withdiametricallyopposed; thickened-shoulders having fiat surfaces, th'efiabsurfaces ofthe ribs, being mountedfor movement;towardshand away from the flatsurfacesof the should a ReferencesCitedin the file of'thispatent vmr gmPA EN S Great Britain

